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Packing Tips for Overseas Travel

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 · Travel Tips

Packing properly for overseas travel doesn’t come naturally, at least not to most of us.  I’ve had my fair share of packing for overseas travel so all these packing tips below are the result of learned mistakes from all of my countless packing fails.

How and what to pack for your overseas trip isn’t obvious, either.  But with this list of packing tips for overseas travel, you’ll find yourself less stressed and more prepared for the trip ahead!

Also Read — Ultimate Packing Guide for Moving Abroad (+ Checklist)

Table of Contents show
Packing Tips for Overseas Travel
Clothes
ROLL, DON’T FOLD
MAKE USE OF TINY SPACES
DON’T TALK YOURSELF INTO OVERPACKING
TAKE MULTI-USE CLOTHES
Toiletries
THE SMALLER THE BETTER (AND CUTER)
BE CREATIVE WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
SMART TIPS FOR CARRYING-ON TOILETRIES
Electronics
KEEP ‘EM WITH YOU IN YOUR CARRY-ON
ROLL UP THE CORDS
THINK TO THE FUTURE

Packing Tips for Overseas Travel

Clothes

ROLL, DON’T FOLD

One of the first packing tips I learned was to roll my clothes instead of neatly folding them.  At first I thought it wouldn’t make any sense, but in fact, it’s the best way to pack! Rolling your clothes instead of folding them results in a much more spacious suitcase.  Your clothes will also turn out less wrinkled than if you were to fold them.

MAKE USE OF TINY SPACES

When you are packing, make the most of the space that you’ve got.  If you are packing shoes, for example, roll up your socks and stuff them in there.  Stuffing your socks in your shoes saves up tons of space for other things, like even another pair of shoes.  Also, if I have other things that are breakable (and small) I will usually stuff it in a sock and then put it in the shoe to make sure it doesn’t get thrown around at any point during the trip.  The same goes for small things (like a small jewelry case or money) that I do not want to get lost in the midst of my suitcase.  Trust me, it saves you from panicking trying to remember where you put that $50. 

DON’T TALK YOURSELF INTO OVERPACKING

It’s a trap!  I’ve done it myself countless times.  You are reasonably packing items you’ll need for your overseas trip.  You think you’re doing a great job, but then you just happen to glance over at that super cute dress (or for men your snazzy button-up shirt) hanging in your closet.  You think, “Oh, maybe I will need that. Nah…….well on second thought, what if there is a nice gala going on and I get invited and have nothing to wear?? Then I’ll be thinking ‘Dang it, I knew I should’ve packed that dress'” (or whatever).  Noooo! Don’t fall for this trap.

A handy trick to avoid overpacking is to lay out everything (clothes-wise) you think you will need. Did you do it? Okay now divide it all in half.  Boom.  It’s hard, but you will get through it and you will thank yourself (and me) for it later.

TAKE MULTI-USE CLOTHES

This may seem obvious, but a lot of people make the mistake of packing a “one-time or one-occasion” outfit. Unless you already know that you have a fancy dinner to attend while overseas, most of your clothes should be ones that you can reuse in different ways.  A good example of this would be taking a shawl that you can convert into a skirt, shirt, cover-up, dress, or whatever you like as long as you’re a little creative. 🙂  This rule of thumb is especially destined for backpackers.  Take only one or two of something (jeans, shorts, tank-tops, etc.) rather than 4 or 5.  When it comes down to it, you really just don’t need all the colors of the rainbow in your suitcase!

Toiletries

THE SMALLER THE BETTER (AND CUTER)

When packing toiletries, it is simply just not efficient to pack a full bottle of shampoo and conditioner.

Keep in mind that wherever you go in the world there most likely will be shops where you can buy all the necessities like body wash, toothpaste, etc (if you ever run out), so no worries there!

Transfer your liquids into miniature travel bottles.   And then pack in a Ziploc bag and suck all the air out before packing.  If you’re really tight on space, just go ahead and invest in a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste, too.  Personally when I’m expecting long travel times I will pack my mini toothbrush with me in my carry-on for easy access. A fresh mouth is a happy face 🙂

BE CREATIVE WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE

There are so many different ways to pack your toiletries and reuse empty bottles/containers to pack your most needed items.  For example, for the ladies, you can reuse an old contact case to put liquid concealer or foundation or using an empty tic tac case to put in hairpins.  Neat, right? Check out this list for 15 snazzy, creative ideas for your toiletry bag.

SMART TIPS FOR CARRYING-ON TOILETRIES

It happens to people time and time again.  They bring their favorite lotion (or whatever) but it’s more than 3.4 ounces.  Say goodbye because it’s getting tossed out when you go through security.  This happened to me once with a contact solution bottle.  Like what was I going to replace contact solution with? Vodka?? That’s the way the security lady looked at me anyways.

Carry-on liquid items should not be larger than 3.4 oz, and though I think this is a universal travel rule, some airlines are more strict than others so just check with your air company before packing to be sure.

Always put your carry-on items in a Ziploc bag. Actually just put any liquids in a Ziploc bag (carry-on or in suitcase).  Also, don’t fill up your containers to the brim.  Fill them up about 3/4 of the way and squeeze the air out if you can.  You don’t want anything exploding!

And last but not least, always have them conveniently located in your bag for easy accessibility because you WILL be taking it out and putting it in a separate bin.  Otherwise you will be taking out all of your bag’s contents before finally getting to that darn bag and the people behind you will be panicking and sliding your stuff on the conveyor belt when your not ready…or does that just happen to me..? ^^ Read more about airline packing rules for overseas travel.

Electronics

KEEP ‘EM WITH YOU IN YOUR CARRY-ON

If you have a tablet, laptop, camera, ipod, etc., then definitely keep those with you at all times.  When it comes to your valuables (passport, tickets, money, cards, electronics) always keep them with you.  You always hear of people getting their stuff stolen from their checked bags and yet you still think it will never happen to you, at least until the day it unfortunately does.  If it means saving you tons of money and stress, keeping your laptop with you (and thus the extra 2 pounds) will be well worth your time.

ROLL UP THE CORDS

It can be a hassle to pack all your electronics chargers, cords, and everything else, but if you roll them in a nice circle and use a little bread twist to seal the deal then those nicely wrapped cords can fit anywhere either in your checked bag or your carry-on.  If you need to charge your electronics during transit, layovers, etc., then maybe stowing them in your carry-on is the best option.  Otherwise, if you’re like me and you sleep during your flight then you can also just stuff your cords in a shoe and be hassle-free until you arrive at your destination!

An alternative to bringing your chargers is just to invest in an external wireless battery pack.  The mini portable charger is actually one of my recommended items in my article best travel accessories for backpackers.

THINK TO THE FUTURE

Just an extra little tip – think ahead when packing your electronics.  Will you need an adapter? If so, what kind? Where can I buy one?

It’s good to just be a little prepared, right? Imagine if you had an emergency and need to use your electronics but they have no more battery, and then you go to charge them in a nearby café only to find out it’s not the right type of outlet *gasps*! I’m sure this has happened to some people… So be prepared! But not to fret too much, you can easily find adapters during your overseas stay, just in case you forgot.

Hope you learned a little something from this article on packing tips for overseas travel! Do you have any unique ways of packing items for your overseas trip?  I’m sure this post will be updated in the future as I’ll inevitably make a packing fail and want to add to this list, also feel free to add to it!

By: Bri · In: Travel Tips

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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